CVE-2025-24495 is a vulnerability identified in certain Intel Core Ultra processors related to the branch prediction unit's resource initialization. The branch prediction unit is a microarchitectural component that improves CPU performance by predicting the direction of branch instructions. In this case, incorrect initialization of resources within this unit can lead to information disclosure. Specifically, an authenticated local attacker with low privileges (PR:L) can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data residing in the processor's microarchitectural state. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have physical or logical access to the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and has a high impact on confidentiality (VC:H), but no impact on integrity or availability. The complexity of the attack is high (AC:H), indicating that exploitation is not trivial and may require specialized knowledge or conditions. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, suggesting that mitigation is pending vendor response. The vulnerability is significant because it targets a fundamental CPU component, potentially allowing attackers to bypass software-level protections and access sensitive information such as cryptographic keys or personal data. This flaw affects systems running on impacted Intel Core Ultra processors, which are commonly used in high-performance desktops and laptops.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24495 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information from systems using affected Intel Core Ultra processors. This could compromise confidentiality of intellectual property, personal data, or cryptographic materials, leading to data breaches or compliance violations under regulations like GDPR. The requirement for local authenticated access limits the attack surface to insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of system access, but the low privilege requirement increases risk from less privileged users or malware. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that rely on these processors for sensitive workloads are particularly at risk. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in endpoint security and complicate incident response efforts. However, the lack of known exploits and the high complexity of attack reduce immediate risk, providing a window for organizations to prepare and remediate. Overall, the impact is medium but could escalate if combined with other vulnerabilities or insider threats.

1. Monitor Intel's official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-24495 and apply them promptly once released. 2. Restrict local access to systems with affected processors by enforcing strict physical security controls and limiting user privileges. 3. Implement robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous local activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Employ multi-factor authentication and session management to reduce the risk of unauthorized authenticated access. 5. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 6. Use virtualization or containerization to isolate sensitive workloads, reducing the impact of potential information leaks. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation and information disclosure vulnerabilities. 8. Consider hardware inventory and asset management to identify and prioritize remediation on systems with affected Intel Core Ultra processors. 9. Where feasible, deploy additional encryption at the application or data layer to protect sensitive information even if processor-level leaks occur.